I moved to Florida in 2017 and soon joined the Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS). That’s when my birding took off! Today, I lead birding tours for VAAS, Lemon Bay Conservancy, Peace River Audubon Society and the Venice Area Birding Association. My love for animals also led me to volunteer for Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota. There I spent most of my time in the baby bird room; raising them for release. When I moved from Venice to Englewood, I switched from SOS to the Venice Wildlife Center. First volunteering in their baby bird room and now going on wildlife rescues.
Captain Ray Killian
Co-Founder,
Fishing Charter
Captain and Boat
Tour Operator
Growing up on Alligator Creek in
Punta Gorda, I spent every
moment I could exploring
Charlotte Harbor’s east wall. My
f
irst boat, a 12′ aluminum jon boat,
became my ticket to the
backcountry, fishing for redfish
and snook and dreaming of one
day making a living doing this.
After college, I spent some time
guiding part-time, but I didn’t yet
understand the business side of
things. I built a stable career in the
personal insurance industry, but
the call of the water never left me.
In 2015, I met my now wife,
Nicole, and started helping her
grow her business, SUP
Englewood. Running paddleboard
and kayak tours reignited my
passion for the water, but I always
knew guiding and fishing were
where my heart was.
Now, with SUP Englewood, my
wife and I share our love for the
water with others, offering unique
paddleboarding and kayaking
experiences in Englewood, FL. Our
goal is to make each day on the
water unforgettable, whether it’s a
tranquil paddle through mangroves
or a fun day of learning new skills.
We believe in sustainability,
education, and a commitment to
preserving our waters for future
generations. Each outing is an
opportunity to connect with nature
and build lasting memories
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